“Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (I Peter 4:19).

Christians suffer for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the reason is clear, other times it is unclear. Christians have never been exempt from suffering. Why do God’s people suffer?

They may suffer because of their own sin. David is a classic example of a man who suffered greatly because of his personal sins. His spiritual bones were broken by God (Psalm 51:8). He was in great pain because of sin.

They may suffer because of the sins of others. Down through the ages persecution from the ungodly on the godly has caused much suffering, heartache, and pain. Murderous Herod caused untold distress on the mothers of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:18); likewise, Saul of Tarsus on the early church (Acts 8:3).

They may suffer because of being under the sentence of physical death. “For as in Adam all die” (I Corinthians 15:22). Pain caused by aging, weary bodies can indeed be intense. Thank God it lasts but a short time, and then “Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54)!

They suffer because it is designed to bring glory to God. “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:2,3). Jesus healed the blind man, and God was glorified.

They may suffer simply because it is the will of God, as our text informs us. He may allow or even cause suffering to bring about His purposes in our lives. May we say with suffering Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). NPS